Verstappen returns to his roots

He hinted at it a month ago, even before losing his crown. And though Max Verstappen fought all the way to the checkered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Dutch star knew how difficult it would be to defend his title for a fifth straight year.

Verstappen must give up the No.1

In the end, a third-place finish was enough for Lando Norris to clinch the championship at Yas Marina. As the new world champion, the Brit will exercise his right to carry the coveted No. 1 on his McLaren next season—a tradition he wants to honor as a thank-you to his team, while also enjoying the reminder all year long that he’s the reigning king of Formula 1. It’s his first world title, and such an achievement deserves recognition.

With Norris claiming the No. 1, Verstappen had to give it up immediately. That left the Red Bull driver with a choice: either return to his old No. 33, or start a new chapter with a fresh identity. The four-time champion has now made it official—he won’t go back to 33. Instead, he’ll finally race with his favorite number: No. 3.

For Verstappen, the switch is deeply personal. It’s the number he always wanted in Formula 1, the one he wore as a kid racing karts. He couldn’t use it when he first entered F1 because Daniel Ricciardo already had it. But with Ricciardo now out of the sport, Verstappen has the green light to reclaim the number that marked his earliest steps in motorsport.

“It won’t be 33. My favorite number has always been 3, apart from 1. Now we can change. It’ll be 3,” Verstappen told Viaplay recently. “The 33 was always good, but I think a single 3 looks nicer than two 3s. I used to say it meant double happiness, but I’ve already had that luck in Formula 1.”

Red Bull confirmed the news on social media, unveiling the new design for their star driver. “A familiar number returns to the grid in 2026,” the team wrote.

Now the question is whether No. 3 will bring Verstappen the same fortune as his previous numbers.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.